Week 1

Question 1

Characteristics of mitochondrial DNA?
- evidence that mDNA and cell DNA are interlinked?

Answer 1

• 16.5 kbp
• 13 ORF (13 proteins encoded)
• 2 rRNAs
• 22 tRNAs

mDNA encodes for 13 proteins however 400 proteins found in mitochondrion

Question 2

Optic atrophy 1 protein OPA1 mediates what in mitochondrion biogenesis?

Answer 2

fusion of inner membrane between two interacting mitochondria

Question 3

mitofusin proteins (mnf1,2) are responsible for what process during mitochondrial biogenesis

Answer 3

fusion of outer membrane of interacting mitochondrion

Question 4

Drp1 (triggered by ER fusion) is responsible for what biogenic process in mitochondria?

Answer 4

fission via GTP hydrolysis— leads to mitochondrial constriction

Question 5

what areas are prone to mitochondrial dysfunction and why

Answer 5

• areas of high mitoch. count (neurons) and high energy demand

Question 6

in the context of proton movement, which space (intermembrane space, mitochondrial matrix) will be acidic/basic (alkali) ?

Answer 6

• intermembrane space will harbor less portons—> Alkali
• mitochondrial matrix will be acidic

Question 7

approximate voltage/pH difference between intermembrane space (IMS) and mitoch. matrix (in mV)?

Answer 7

-200 mV
0.5